2. The images below show my two final Ancillary products. On the left is my Theatrical Poster and on the
right is my Magazine Cover. Both convey the Horror genre, and follow all conventional forms and
connotations. I have used audience response and market research to make and develop these two
products, and have shown this on my blog.
3. Conventions of form: THEATRICAL POSTERIncentive & Tag line: Sans Serif font is
used (Neotric) this is conventional for
the horror genre, as I found in my
existing market research, and the
audience response showed that was
what they expected to see on a horror
poster. It is simple and stands out, not
drawing attention away from the title.
The incentive is conventionally placed
at the top of the poster, drawing in
existing audiences, the tag line is
conventionally placed within the image,
this helps link the two together.
Title: ‘MIDNIGHT’ is conventionally
placed closer to the bottom of the
poster, under the image. This doesn’t
draw the attention away from the
image, however it uses route-of-eye
being placed in the bottom centre,
meaning the audience will look at the
title after viewing the image.
Blocking bill: The blocking bill is
conventionally placed at the bottom of
the poster, this keeps the audience
more interested in the main image and
the title, incentive and tag line. This is
conventional for all theatrical posters.
4. Conventions of form: THEATRICAL POSTER
Main image: The main image is
conventionally placed in the centre of the
poster, automatically drawing in the
audience to that straight away. It also
follows the conventional form for horror
as it is a close up image of the main
character. This is conventional for many
horror theatrical posters such as mirrors
(left image). This shocks and draws people
in, as it creates mystery.
Language: The language is simple and snappy. This is
conventional for all posters so audiences are not put
off by mass text. “Are you afraid?” is direct address
and this is conventional for horror as if you involve the
audience it draws them in, and also makes the
experience more scary and frightening. The language
in the incentive uses titles from other films
(convention) to draw in existing audiences.
Logos/website link/date: All of these features are
conventionally placed at the bottom of my poster,
this is conventional as it is information that the
audience would read last, it helps to draw in fans of
certain distribution/production companies and
allows the audience to search more about the film
through online media. The date is conventionally
placed for information purposes.
5. Conventions of form: MAGAZINE COVER
Skyline/Masthead/plug/date:
All are conventionally placed at the top,
(Masthead: Top left ) which is the primary
optical area of the page; It is what the
audience will see first and what will draw
them in. The plug is in the form of text
“Horror Special” it is conventionally
placed to the right of the masthead as the
audience would see that after the
masthead.
Sell lines: The sell lines are on the left
side of the cover, and relate to the horror
genre of the issue. This is conventional as
people mainly read from left to right, this
follows the conventions of already
existing magazines such as empire which
I have used as a style model.
Anchorage title/text: Is conventionally
placed on top of the main image, this
helps it to link to the main image,
showing that it is the main feature for
the magazine issue. The title follows
film magazine conventions as it uses
the same font which is shown on the
poster and trailer for the film, this helps
audiences make the connection and
associate the products with each other.
6. Conventions of form: MAGAZINE COVER
Main image: The main image is placed on the
right side of the cover, this is so it doesn’t take
the attention away from the sell lines, but
however does gain its own attention as it takes up
most of the cover. It also follows conventions of
horror form as the image is a low angle, mid shot
of the antagonist, a convention used in horror
magazine such as ‘scream’.
Language: The sell lines are kept short and
snappy, they include names of other horror films
and actors associated with the genre. This is a
conventional form for film magazines, this is used
to draw in the audiences who are fans of these
films/actors.
Sell line: This is used to show extra information
within the magazine. Conventional for all types of
magazines, not just film. It sticks to the
conventional form to draw audience in.
Barcode: Conventional form for all
magazines, showing authenticity.
7. Conventions of genre: POSTER
Main image: The main image is conventional for horror as it
is dark and mysterious. The image is close up and is
unnerving; the blood effect used on her face stands out
against her pale face. The blood links with the title and it
also shocks the audience, and creates a sense of mystery.
Why is there blood down her face? The main character is
used for the poster, which is conventional for the horror
genre, and is seen on other horror posters such as oculus
and insidious. It is conventional, and helps the audience
link her with the trailer and then eventually the film itself.
Her face is conventionally concealed, this is a convention
for horror and doesn’t give too much away, drawing the
audience in.
Colours: All the colours I have used on my poster are
conventional. The three main colours are Red, black and
white. The red is the colour which I have used least on
the poster, this is because I want it to stand out from the
bland white and black. The red is used in the films title,
the blood on the characters face and the date of cinema
release. The red is a connotation of blood and danger,
conventional for horror. The black is used for the
background and creates an eerie feeling, the black is a
connotation of danger and mystery. I have used white for
the text, white is conventionally used for horror as it is
often a connotation ghosts and the dead.
8. Conventions of genre: POSTER
Fonts: I have used a few different fonts on my poster. All
follow horror genre conventions. The incentive and tag
line use a Serif Sans font, which is conventional for
horror, it is simple and effective as it stands out without
taking too much attention away from the main title and
image. The main title uses a bold typography, it creates
the effect of blood dripping with is shocking and
conventional for the genre. The blocking bill uses two
fonts ‘SF movie poster’ and ‘Universal Accreditation’
these both give the conventional blocking bill look.
Language: “from the makers of the conjuring…” this
incentive is conventional for horror, as many people often
watch a horror based on who its made by and if its similar
to another product, It helps to draw in an existing
audience. “Are you afraid?” my tag line uses direct
address, and creates mystery for the viewer, this is
conventional for the genre as it doesn’t give too much
away.
Other conventions of horror used:
• Uses low-key lighting to create a sense of
mystery.
• The main image is central, so it is the first
thing to shock the viewer.
9. Conventions of genre : MAGAZINE COVER
Main image: The main image is conventional for the
horror genre, it is a mid-shot and shows the
antagonist of the film. It uses low key lighting to
convey darkness and danger. The Image also shows
the characters blank expression and the shocking
effects on her face. This is conventional to intrigue
the audience and create mystery to how she got like
that? The image includes the prop of the knife, which
is used in the trailer and is also an iconic prop in
many horror films, this is another convention of
genre in my main image.
Colours: All colours used on my magazine cover
are conventional for the genre. I have used four
main colours on my cover. The red is conventional
for the horror genre as it is a connotation of blood
and danger, I have only used it a few times to
ensure it stands out on the cover. The white has
been used the most, it is used as a neutral colour
and is conventional for film magazines and horror
as it is a connotation of death. The black is used as
the background and base colour, it is conventional
for the horror genre as it conveys darkness and
isolation, which creates an unnerving feeling.
10. Conventions of genre : MAGAZINE COVER
Fonts: I have used a few fonts on the magazine, and I
have tried to follow horror and film magazine
conventions closely. The masthead uses the font
Neoteric (Stretched) which is bold and stand out to the
viewer, a convention for film magazines. Another font
used is Bebas Neue, it is used for the sell lines and this
is conventional again for film magazines, as it stands
out and allows the audience to see what is written
clearly. The convention for horror is shown with the
‘Midnight’ font (the anchorage title) uses Rainy Day
verndal, which is the same font used for the poster and
trailer, this conventionally links the products.
Language: The language used on my magazine
cover is conventional for the film magazine genre
and for horror. The sell lines use references to
other horror films and actors known for horror,
this helps draw in an existing audience and is
conventional for film magazines. The sentences are
short and snappy, this is conventional and keeps
the audience engaged and intrigued.
Other genre conventions used:
• Uses barcode/date and price on the
front cover for authenticity.
• Main image/ feature film is the focus
of the cover.
